Kugluktuk: Saving $2,000 by Using Solar

In just one month after theÂ installation of solar panels on its recreation complex, Kugluktuk already produced 1,680 kWh of clean electricity saving $2,000 of diesel fuels.

Kugluktukâ€™s economic development officer, Bill Williams said â€œ”We were looking at how we can effectively bring costs down.â€

The 10 kW solar system has been installed last June after the community received a $95,000 grant from the federal government. The recreation building houses an arena, youth centre, community kitchen and an area for toddlers.

â€œThe hamlet is also looking at getting more solar panels installed on other community buildings. We’re hoping to expand on the one at the recreation complex to completely eliminate our bill there. The hamlet expected July to be one of its best months for solar power because of theÂ 24-hour sunlight. The sun doesn’t go down in the community between May 27Â and July 17,â€ William said.

“We’ll be interested to see when we get into December and January. Our peak power generation right now is happening between about 8 a.m. andÂ noon, 1 p.m. So we’re hoping that in the winter we’re still getting that peak solar power. But we’ll have to see, â€œWilliam added.

William says the money saved will go right back into recreational programming.

“Whatever community you’re in, whether you’re in Ontario or Nunavut, recreation is unfortunately the first place where costs get cut,â€ he concluded.